Wow never heard of a death midwife!! From what I read below it’s pretty kool and being for someone til the end is wonderful especially if they have no one. Very noble congratulations
Forgive my first response (there doesn't seem to be a way to edit). Your profession appears to be very honorable. I certainly couldn't commit to something like this. My heart to you and to the families that you must serve 💓
You’re very kind. I watched my dad grow so ill when his kidney’s failed before he finally got a transplant. He didn’t have long left and I needed to know how to support my people.
Now, I am interested in the death doula/midwife approach that is becoming more common. Do you mind me asking what program you have used and how you plan to use it (i.e., your own consulting business, working for a hospice agency, etc)?
Your post showed up in my feed and I think it’s awesome. I’m so curious about the profession of being a death doula. I’ve looked it up a few times and wondered about it.
“The Bustle in a House
The Morning after Death
Is solemnest of industries
Enacted opon Earth—“
It’s a beautiful and supportive space to hold, helping people to their best death. I’m excited and scared, but I hope to volunteer some good hours to my communities with this.
Intrigued, but my end of life stage patients are breaking my heart. I’m not sure I’m able to do repeated loss. I wanted hospice too, so now I’m just confused as to where to go.
If you like reading, Barbara Karnes' books might help a little.
What I've done for myself, is lean into our oldest traditions around death & worked to internalize the understanding that death is simply another transition. That the dying are not losing, they're moving.
It's still hard. We're going to miss people & feel the space left by them. But what you're doing is especially compassionate and important, & I know you're making a difference.
It’s a very new field and that’s still evolving, but right now there are the NELDA (National End-of-Life Doula Alliance) and the INELDA (International…) that I’m immediately aware of
Really simple. Because you can specialize in so many different ways, the certification is a broad overview of how to talk to people about what you do, where to find the best materials to become proficient, & how to run a business. I’d be happy to drop you a reading list, if you’d like.
that's great to hear about your exam success, but it's unclear how your profession relates to being a death midwife. can you clarify how your role involves assisting with death?
Are you included in hospice care programs? Quite valuable—- a lot of care givers or family members are not able to address these issues. Is the exam on physical and the emotional (like helping one think about wills or whatever if they don’t have them?)
Oh wow, I'm a nurse and I didn't even know this was a thing! Are you employed by hospice agencies? Or engaged independently? Can I ask you how your services get hired?
Congrats! Can’t be an easy job but I’m happy there are people like you in the world who have compassion and want to guide folks through the difficult process with dignity. Good luck on your journey!
A death midwife/death doula/end of life coach, is someone who helps the dying and their family/caregivers with putting their affairs in order, writing/recording goodbyes & legacy projects, & provides comfort, caregiver support, & demystifies death.
Please tell more! Since my husband died 10 yrs ago, I've been the end of life caregiver for 4 people, and took off to help my 80 yr old parents.
I'm good at it, and I was very helpful (not boasting, I just know what I did helped them and family)
But now I need a job, and what I do pays $8 an hour?!
Certification is not a degree, & it does include an overview of how to do it full time. However there is the upfront cost, (and coupons are often sometimes) it’s 6-12 weeks of learning at your pace, & a good portion of it is to help you decide which specializations and traditions you want to pursue.
Walking people through one of the most complicated parts of the human experience is a heavy honor. Your sense of humor and empathy will serve you well. Welcome to the club!
Excellent if I should need to schedule one depending on if War of the Rohirrim turns out to be a travesty, you would be first on the list. Please keep a slot open between December the 12-13th
Congratulations on passing your exam! Becoming a death midwife is a remarkable achievement, and your dedication to supporting individuals in their final stages of life is truly commendable.
It is. It’s an old tradition that’s only being recently recognized again. I wanted to connect with the community we used to be, that those who would control us have systematically taken away to separate and isolate us..
HELL YEAAAAAAH! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! You will be doing incredibly important work that many folks are afraid to do.
I am sure that you will touch many lives.
Someone who helps the terminally ill, dying, and their loved ones find “a good death” taking fear out of death, writing/recording legacy projects for them, and even performing/assisting with celebrations of the life of the dying.
I appreciate your patience! Hopefully this will knowledge will become more common in time and you won't have to keep repeating yourself. I could imagine that may become tiresome.
Comments
It seems only fitting, n’est-ce pas?
I was already in awe, but now even more!
You're amazing!! 💜
“The Bustle in a House
The Morning after Death
Is solemnest of industries
Enacted opon Earth—“
Feels weird to say, but it's something you worked for so 🙂🤷♂️
I know that part of my journey to be a death doula was the idea of taking some fear & sadness away from death, & I have a long way to go.
What I've done for myself, is lean into our oldest traditions around death & worked to internalize the understanding that death is simply another transition. That the dying are not losing, they're moving.
This should be a normalized cultural thing for us and I’m kinda surprised it’s not. With your compassion and kindness you’re gonna be wonderful.
I had no Idea this was a thing
I'm good at it, and I was very helpful (not boasting, I just know what I did helped them and family)
But now I need a job, and what I do pays $8 an hour?!
Walking people through one of the most complicated parts of the human experience is a heavy honor. Your sense of humor and empathy will serve you well. Welcome to the club!
Accounts like these are popping up all over. Most of them are disagree bots.
🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳
I am sure that you will touch many lives.
Congrats Queen!